Vanda plant named &#39;SPCDW1516&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Vanda  cultivar named ‘SPCDW1516’ which is characterized by a large quantity of flower with nearly white sepals and petals which are lightly suffused with yellow-green, a labellum with nearly white lateral lobes which are dotted purple and yellow at the base and a yellow-green central lobe, as well as the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Community Plant Variety Rights application number 2015/2863, filed Nov. 27, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Vanda Jones ex R. Br.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Vanda disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘SPCDW1516’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: The Vanda variety ‘SPCDW1516’ originated as a naturally occurring, whole-plant mutation of Vanda ‘SPCDW1001’ (unpatented in the United States, Community Plant Variety Rights grant number 29778), a variety developed and owned by the inventor. The inventor of ‘SPCDW1516’ is a commercial producer of Vanda and regularly discovers mutations at his greenhouse operation in Bangphra, Thailand. The variety now called ‘SPCDW1516’ was initially discovered in November of 2009 as one such mutation of ‘SPCDW1001’.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1516’, by way of mericloning, was first initiated in September of 2010 at a commercial laboratory belonging to the inventor in Bangphra, Thailand. Access to all plants was restricted, as plants were kept in a greenhouse not open to the public, and tissue culture plantlets were in a laboratory belonging to the inventor, and not accessible to the public. Through six subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘SPCDW1516’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘SPCDW1516’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘SPCDW1516’ as a new and distinct Vanda cultivar:

-   -   1. Vanda ‘SPCDW1516’ exhibits a large quantity of flowers; and     -   2. Vanda ‘SPCDW1516’ exhibits white flower petals when fully         opened; and     -   3. Vanda ‘SPCDW1516’ exhibits a white dorsal sepal when fully         opened; and     -   4. Vanda ‘SPCDW1516’ exhibits lateral sepals which are white and         lightly suffused with yellow-green when fully opened; and     -   5. Vanda ‘SPCDW1516’ exhibits a labellum with nearly white         lateral lobes which are dotted purple and yellow at the base and         a yellow-green central lobe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of ‘SPCDW1516’ grown in a commercial greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. This plant is approximately 6 years old from the time of mericloning, shown planted in an 8 by 8 cm container.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical foliage of ‘SPCDW1516’.

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical inflorescence of ‘SPCDW1516’.

FIG. 4 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical flower of ‘SPCDW1516’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements made in October of 2016 describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of six year-old ‘SPCDW1516’ plants grown in a greenhouse in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands. Temperatures were approximately 23 degrees Celsius during the day and 19 degrees Celsius at night. No photoperiodic or chemical treatments were given to the plants. No artificial light was given to the plants.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘SPCDW1516’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘SPCDW1516’ and comparisons with other varieties of Vanda are provided below.

-   Plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial; monopodial, upright. Single             monopodial leafy stem, with flowers carried slightly above             the leaf plane; inflorescences growing from the leaf axils.         -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so             no soil line present) to foliar plane.—42.4 cm.         -   Average height from base (plant grown in hanging basket, so             no soil line present) to top of floral plane.—54.0 cm.         -   Plant spread.—Average of 37.3 cm.         -   Appropriate container size.—8 cm by 8 cm rectangular hanging             basket.         -   Growth rate.—Moderate.         -   Plant vigor.—Moderate.         -   Propagation type.—Meristematic tissue culture propagation             using the base of the leaves.         -   Propagation details.—The time needed from for the start of a             mericlone to get the small plants ready for deflasking is             approximately 24 months under a controlled temperature of             about 26 degrees Celsius. After that period, plants have             matured roots. Plants start to make roots in the last 6             months in flasks. After deflasking they remain in a shaded             and controlled environment.         -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Similar to             other Vanda varieties.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 11             and 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius; high             tolerance to rain; moderate to high tolerance to wind. -   Root system:     -   -   General.—Moderately to densely rooting; with aerial roots             only.         -   Dimensions, mature roots.—75.0 cm long with a diameter of             0.5 cm, on average.         -   Texture.—Very fleshy; non-fibrous.         -   Color.—Greyed-green, in between RHS 192B and 192C; root apex             is yellow-green, RHS 146B. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching habit.—Monopodial; no lateral branches present.         -   Number of primary (main) stems per plant.—One.         -   Number of secondary (lateral) branches per plant.—None.         -   Appearance and shape.—Circular, formed by the leaf sheaths.         -   Length.—27.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.9 cm.         -   Internode length.—0.8 cm.         -   Luster.—Matte.         -   Aspect.—Near vertical.         -   Strength.—Very strong.         -   Color, juvenile.—Yellow-green, in between RHS 145B and 145C.         -   Color, mature.—Yellow-green, in between RHS 145B and 145C.         -   Color at internodes.—Yellow-green, in between RHS 145B and             145C.         -   Pubescence.—Glabrous. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Distichous.         -   Dimensions.—22.0 cm long, excluding the sheath, and 2.5 cm             wide.         -   Shape of blade.—Ligulate; moderately to strongly carinate.         -   Aspect.—Slightly curved.         -   Apex.—Unequal praemorse.         -   Base.—Sheathing.         -   Sheath dimensions.—3.2 cm long and 1.1 cm wide, on average.         -   Sheath color.—Yellow-green, in between RHS 145A and 145B.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of adaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and very slightly glossy.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster of abaxial surface.—Glabrous,             smooth, and matte.         -   Color.—Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Green, a mixture             of RHS 137B and RHS 143A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface             — Green, nearest to RHS 143A. Mature foliage, adaxial             surface — Green, nearest to RHS 137B. Mature foliage,             abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B.         -   Venation.—Parallel.         -   Venation color, adaxial surface.—Green, nearest to RHS 137B.         -   Venation color, abaxial surface.—Yellow-green, in between             RHS N144C and N144D.         -   Petiole.—No petioles present; leaves sessile. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Axially placed raceme.         -   Natural flowering season.—Autumn into winter.         -   Time to flower.—Approximately 10 months.         -   Flowers per inflorescence.—Average of 12.         -   Flowers per plant.—20 open flowers and 4 flower buds.         -   Inflorescence height.—Approximately 22.0 cm (measured from             base of lowest flower to top of upper flower).         -   Inflorescence diameter.—Approximately 16.2 cm.         -   Peduncle.—Dimensions — Approximately 34.5 cm long and 0.7 cm             wide. Aspect — Generally at a 35 degree angle to lateral             branch axis. Strength — Moderately strong. Texture and             luster — Glabrous and moderately glossy. Color — Green,             nearest to RHS 143C. -   Bud:     -   -   Length.—Average of 2.1 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average horizontal diameter is 1.8 cm; the             vertical diameter is 1.8 cm.         -   Shape.—Cubic, with a deltoid apex which is pointed downward.         -   Pubescence, texture and luster.—Glabrous, smooth and very             slightly glossy.         -   Color.—A mixture of yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D, and             white, RHS 155A; apex is suffused with yellow-green, RHS             154C. -   Flower:     -   -   Flower Type.—Zygomorphic (orchidaceous), typical shape for             the genus Vanda.         -   Flowering habit.—Moderate.         -   Shape.—Zygomorphic, single; consisting of three sepals and             three petals, one of which is transformed into a labellum;             the two lateral petals slightly overlapping the sepals;             sepals do not overlap one another.         -   Aspect.—Flowers are outward-facing to slightly nodding.         -   Vertical height.—Approximately 8.7 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 8.6 cm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 2.7 cm.         -   Fragrance.—No fragrance.         -   Lastingness.—3 weeks, on average.         -   Persistent.—Self-cleaning.         -   Petals.—Quantity of Petals — Three unfused petals; two             conventional petals and one labellum. Arrangement — One             lateral petal on each side. Length — Approximately 4.4 cm.             Width — Approximately 3.4 cm. Shape — Broad ovate. Apex —             Undeeply retuse to obtuse. Base — Cuneate. Margin — Entire;             slightly undulated. Pubescence, texture and luster of upper             surface — Glabrous, velvety and matte. Pubescence, texture             and luster of lower surface — Glabrous, velvety and matte.             Color when opening, upper surface — White, nearest to RHS             NN155A; apex is suffused with green-white, nearest to RHS             157C. Color when opening, lower surface — White, nearest to             RHS NN155A; apex is suffused with green-white, nearest to             RHS 157B. Color when fully opened, upper surface — White,             nearest to NN155D yet whiter; lower half is white, RHS             NN155C. Color when fully opened, lower surface — White,             nearest to NN155D; lower half is white, RHS NN155C. Fading,             upper surface — Not fading. Fading, lower surface — Not             fading. Venation — Densely reticulate. Venation color, fully             opened, upper surface — White, nearest to NN155D yet whiter;             lower half is white, RHS NN155C. Venation color, fully             opened, lower surface — White, nearest to NN155D; lower half             is white, RHS NN155C.         -   Labellum.—Shape — Three-lobed; the shape of the lateral             lobes is triangular, and the aspect is involute; the shape             of the central lobe is narrow triangular, and the aspect is             revolute. Length — Central lobe — Approximately 1.8 cm.             Lateral lobes — Approximately 0.8 cm. Width — Central lobe —             Approximately 1.0 cm. Lateral lobes — Approximately 0.55 cm.             Apex — Central lobe — Strongly emarginate. Lateral lobes —             Emarginate. Base — Central lobe — Cuneate. Lateral lobes —             Cuneate. Margin — Central lobe — Entire; not undulate.             Lateral lobes — Entire; not undulate. Texture and luster of             upper surface — Central lobe — Glabrous, velvety, and matte.             Lateral lobes — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Texture and             luster of lower surface — Central lobe — Glabrous, velvety,             and matte. Lateral lobes — Glabrous, velvety, and matte.             Color when opening, upper surface — Central lobe —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150C, and fading to yellow at             the base, in between RHS 12A and 12B. Lateral lobes —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D; dotted purple and             yellow-orange at the base, a mixture of to RHS 75B and RHS             17B. Color when opening, lower surface — Central lobe —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 145C, and fading lighter             towards the base, nearest to RHS 150D. Lateral lobes — A             mixture of yellow-green, RHS 150D, and white, RHS 155A.             Color when fully opened, upper surface — Central lobe —             Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D, and fading to white             towards the base, nearest to RHS 155A. Lateral lobes —             White, nearest to RHS NN155B, and suffused with yellow-green             at the apex, nearest to RHS 150D; dotted purple and yellow             at the base, a mixture of RHS N75D and RHS 12C. Color when             fully opened, lower surface — Central lobe — Yellow-green,             nearest to a mixture of RHS 150D and 151D, yet lighter, and             fading white towards the base, nearest to RHS NN155B.             Lateral lobes — White, RHS NN155C. Fading, upper surface —             Not fading. Fading, lower surface — Not fading. Venation —             Densely reticulate. Venation color, fully opened, upper             surface — Central lobe — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D,             and fading white towards the base, nearest to RHS 155A.             Lateral lobes — White, nearest to RHS NN155B, and suffused             with yellow-green at the apex, nearest to RHS 150D; dotted             purple and yellow at the base, a mixture of RHS N75D and RHS             12C. Venation color, fully opened, lower surface — Central             lobe — Yellow-green, nearest to a mixture of RHS 150D and             151D, yet lighter, and fading white towards the base,             nearest to RHS NN155B. Lateral lobes — White, RHS NN155C.         -   Callosities.—Dimensions — 1.2 cm long and 0.6 cm wide, on             average. Color — White, nearest to RHS NN155B.         -   Spurs.—Quantity — Average of 1 Length — Approximately             0.9 cm. Diameter — Approximately 0.2 cm. Vertical height —             Approximately 0.5 cm, at the base. Shape — Short triangular.             Apex — Bluntly acute. Base — Broad cuneate. Pubescence,             texture and luster — Glabrous, smooth, and slightly glossy.             Color — White, a mixture of RHS N155B and N155C.         -   Sepals.—Quantity — Average of 3 unfused sepals. Arrangement             — One dorsal sepal and two lateral sepals. Length — Dorsal             sepal — Approximately 4.4 cm. Lateral sepals — Approximately             4.8 cm. Width — Dorsal sepal — Approximately 3.8 cm. Lateral             sepals — Approximately 4.4 cm. Shape — Dorsal sepal — Broad             ovate to near orbicular. Lateral sepals — Broad ovate to             near orbicular. Apex — Dorsal sepal — Obtuse. Lateral sepals             — Obtuse. Base — Dorsal sepal — Cuneate. Lateral sepals —             Cuneate. Margin — Dorsal sepal — Entire; slightly undulated.             Lateral sepals — Entire; slightly undulated. Pubescence,             texture and luster, upper surface — Dorsal sepal — Glabrous,             velvety, and matte. Lateral sepals — Glabrous, velvety, and             matte. Pubescence, texture and luster, lower surface— Dorsal             sepal — Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Lateral sepals —             Glabrous, velvety, and matte. Color when opening, upper             surface — Dorsal sepal — White, nearest to RHS 155A, and             lightly suffused with yellow-green, especially towards the             apex, in between RHS 145C and RHS 145D. Lateral sepals —             White, nearest to RHS 155A, and lightly suffused with             yellow-green, especially towards the apex, in between RHS             145C and RHS 145D. Color when opening, lower surface —             Dorsal sepal — White, nearest to RHS 155A, and a lightly             suffused with yellow-green, especially towards the apex, in             between RHS 145C and RHS 145D. Lateral sepals — White,             nearest to RHS 155A, and lightly suffused with yellow-green,             especially towards the apex, in between RHS 145C and RHS             145D. Color when fully opened, upper surface — Dorsal sepal             — White, nearest to RHS NN155C. Lateral sepals — White,             nearest to RHS NN155B, and lightly suffused with             yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D. Color when fully opened,             lower surface — Dorsal sepal — White, nearest to RHS NN155C.             Lateral sepals — White, nearest to RHS NN155B, and lightly             suffused with slightly darker, nearest to RHS 155A. Fading,             upper surface — Not fading. Fading, lower surface — Not             fading. Venation — Densely reticulate. Venation color, fully             opened, upper surface — Dorsal sepal — White, nearest to RHS             NN155C. Lateral sepals — White, nearest to RHS NN155B, and             suffused with yellow-green, nearest to RHS 150D. Venation             color, fully opened, lower surface — Dorsal sepal — White,             nearest to RHS NN155C. Lateral sepals — A mixture of white,             nearest to RHS NN155B, and slightly darker white, nearest to             RHS 155A.         -   Pedicels.—Length — Approximately 4.7 cm. Diameter —             Approximately 0.35 cm. Angle — Approximately 90 degree angle             to peduncle axis. Strength — Moderate. Texture — Glabrous,             axially angled with 5 “ribs”, axially twisted (due to             resupination). Luster — Glossy. Color — White, nearest to             RHS NN155B, and suffused with yellow-green, nearest to RHS             145B, towards the proximal end.         -   Bract.—Quantity — One bract present at the base of each             pedicel. Shape — Broad ovate; folded around the base of each             pedicel. Dimensions — Average of 1.0 cm long and 1.1 cm             wide. Apex — Broad acute. Base — Broad cuneate. Margins —             Entire. Color, both surfaces — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS             N144B. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Column.—Length — Approximately 0.6 cm. Diameter —             pproximately 0.5 cm. Color — White; a mixture of RHS NN155A             and NN155B.         -   Ovary.—Position — Inferior Diameter — Approximately 0.2 cm.             Color — Yellow-green, RHS 150C.         -   Pollinia Color.—Yellow-orange, RHS 14A. -   Seed and fruit: No fruit and seed production has been detected to     date. -   Comparison with the parent plant: Plants of the new cultivar     ‘SPCDW1516’ differ from the Vanda parent plant ‘SPCDW1001’     (unpatented in the United States, Community Plant Variety Rights     grant number 29778) by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1516’ ‘SPCDW1001’ General coloration Relatively more white Relatively less white of petals when than ‘SPCDW1001’. than ‘SPCDW1516’. fully opened. General coloration Relatively more white Relatively less white of sepals when than ‘SPCDW1001’ than ‘SPCDW1516’ opening and when with less pronounced with more pronounced fully opened. yellow-green suffusion; yellow-green suffusion. lateral sepals are nearly white with very little yellow-green suffusion. General coloration Lighter yellow-green Darker yellow-green of the central lobe compared to compared to of the labellum ‘SPCDW1001’. ‘SPCDW1516’. when fully opened. Width of the central Narrower than the Wider than the central lobe of the labellum. central lobe of lobe of ‘SPCDW1516’. ‘SPCDW1001’.

-   Comparison with the most similar Vanda cultivar known to the     inventor: Plants of the new cultivar ‘SPCDW1516’ are most similar to     the cultivar, Vanda ‘SPCDW0902’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,343). A     comparison of ‘SPCDW1516’ with Vanda ‘SPCDW0902’ is described in     Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘SPCDW1516’ ‘SPCDW0902’ Flower size. Larger than Smaller than ‘SPCDW0902’. ‘SPCDW1516’. General coloration Relatively more white Relatively less white of petals when than ‘SPCDW0902’ than ‘SPCDW1516’ opening. with less pronounced with more pronounced green-white suffusion. green-white suffusion. General coloration Relatively more white Relatively less white of petals when than ‘SPCDW0902’. than ‘SPCDW1516’. fully opened. General coloration Relatively more white Relatively less white of sepals when than ‘SPCDW0902’ than ‘SPCDW1516’ opening and when with less pronounced with more pronounced fully opened. yellow-green suffusion; yellow-green suffusion. lateral sepals are nearly white with very little yellow-green suffusion. Overlapping of Less overlapped when More overlapped when petals and sepals. compared to compared to ‘SPCDW0902’. ‘SPCDW1516’. Apex of dorsal Less rounded than More rounded than sepal. ‘SPCDW0902’. ‘SPCDW1516’. Apex of petals. Less rounded than More rounded than ‘SPCDW0902’. ‘SPCDW1516’. General coloration Lighter yellow-green Darker yellow-green of the central lobe compared to compared to of the labellum ‘SPCDW0902’. ‘SPCDW1516’. when fully opened. General coloration Nearly white with less Relatively less white of lateral lobes pronounced light with more pronounced of the labellum yellow-green suffusion, yellow-green suffusion. when fully opened. and dotted purple and yellow at the base. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Vanda plant named ‘SPCDW1516’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 